(1934-2026)

Sister Reta Drexler, formerly known as Sister Madonna Rose, died on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at the Dominican Life Center in Adrian, Michigan. She was 91 years of age and in the 67th year of her religious profession in the Adrian Dominican Congregation.

Sister Reta was born in Dearborn, Michigan, to William and Rose (Hoorman) Drexler. She graduated from St. Joseph Academy in Adrian and received a bachelor’s degree in social studies from Siena Heights College (University) in Adrian. She was also certified as a spiritual director.

Sister spent 30 years ministering in education in Detroit, Norway, Maybee, Iron Mountain, and Escanaba, Michigan; Defiance, Cincinnati, and Swanton, Ohio; and Melbourne, Florida. She also spent eight years as director of religious education and pastoral minister at St. Jude Parish in Tequesta, Florida, and one year in pastoral ministry at St. Helen Parish in Vero Beach, Florida. 

Sister Reta was also a general assistant for a year and a half at Maria Health Care Center in Adrian, an institution of the Adrian Dominican Congregation. Sister became a resident of the Dominican Life Center in 2005.

Sister Reta was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters, Vera Hartman and Florence Wright; and her brothers, Albert, Carl, Donald, and James Drexler. She is survived by other loving family members and her Adrian Dominican Sisters.

Visitation will be held from 6:30 to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, in the gathering space of St. Catherine Chapel. The Vigil Prayer will be held at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 7, 2026, in St. Catherine Chapel. A Funeral Mass will be offered in St. Catherine Chapel at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, January 8, 2026. Prayers of Committal will be held in the Congregation Cemetery. 

Those not attending services in person are welcome to participate via live stream at https://adriandominicans.org/Live-Stream.

Memorial gifts may be made to Adrian Dominican Sisters, 1257 East Siena Heights Drive, Adrian, MI, 49221. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Anderson-Marry Funeral Home, Adrian.

Sister's Memorial Card (PDF)

 

LEFT: The Drexler siblings, circa 1947, are: back row, from left, Florence, Don, Carl, and Vera, and front row, from left, James, Albert, and Reta. MIDDLE: Siblings Albert and Reta Drexler. RIGHT: Reta at the age of 8, 1942.

LEFT: Reta poses with her horse, Smokey, in Clayton, Michigan, circa 1950. MIDDLE LEFT: Sister Madonna Rose with her parents, Rose and William Drexler, on the day of her Reception into the Novitiate, December 1952. 

LEFT: Spending time in Utah are, from left, Sisters Lorraine Sinn, Dorothy Booms, Lorraine Pepin, and Reta Drexler. RIGHT: From left, Sisters Joan Petz, Lorraine Pepin, Lois Mary Rochon, Dorothy Booms, Margaret Richard Pillon, and Reta Drexel. 

Members of the 2012 Diamond Jubilarian Crowd are: back row, from left, Sisters Dorothy Booms, Lorraine Pepin, Carolyn Nelson, Reta Drexler, Arlene Marie Kosmatka, Frances Madigan, and Attracta Kelly (Prioress); middle row, from left, Sisters Kathryn Hartnett, Marguerite Renuart, Maureen Keeler, Lorraine Sinn, and Cora Marie Campbell; and front row, from left, Sisters Anne Cenci, Ann Kelly, Joann Weigang, and Magdalena Ezoe.

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